The Cumbrian women leading the way in robotics
Women in Cumbria are leading the way in one of the most advanced technology sectors in the world.
The Cumbria Robotics Cluster, powered by the Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH) in Cleator Moor, is a group of businesses focused on developing robotic solutions for the nuclear industry and other challenging environments.
To mark International Women's Day 2025, key figures in the industry have shared their passion for robotics.
Jill Stewart, research professor in systems modelling and optimisation at the University of Cumbria (Image: Supplied) Jill Stewart, a research professor in systems modelling and optimisation at the University of Cumbria, became interested in robotics during her undergraduate degree in mechatronics.
She said: "I create computer representations of complex systems to study their behaviour and interactions and ultimately find the best solution to a problem.
"My undergraduate degree sparked a lifelong interest in how machines can be designed to do useful things.
"I'm really inspired by recent developments in AI that have opened a new world of possibilities for robots to take on difficult and dangerous jobs so that people can do interesting and important work."
Amanda Smith, UAV programme lead at Sellafield Ltd (Image: Supplied) Amanda Smith, the UAV programme lead at Sellafield Ltd, said robotics is an exciting sector to work in.
She said: "I have worked at Sellafield for 26 years and have developed skills in various areas including radiometrics, E&I craftsperson and work management.
"The UAV role was a wildcard career move for me knowing nothing about drones, but one I'm pleased I took the chance on.
"I've developed the UAV capability over the last six years and am proud to deliver benefits from using robotics both on the Sellafield site and across the NDA estate.
"It's great to see the use of new technologies to keep people away from harm and to overcome difficult engineering challenges, some of which have been long-standing issues.
"It's exciting to see what we can do with robotics today and what is to come from the continually evolving options."
Kayleigh Daniels, head of development at React Engineering (Image: Supplied) Kayleigh Daniels, head of development at React Engineering, specialists in nuclear decommissioning based in Cleator Moor, said: "What really attracted me to the sector was the complexity and unique nature of the problems.
"Some of the challenges really are pushing beyond the forefront of current science and technology and the advancements in these areas create an evolving picture; making finding the best solutions exciting and ever-changing.
"I'm still a passionate pragmatist, however robotics and technology give us smarter and safer ways to solve intractable problems."
The Cumbria Robotics Cluster was launched by iSH in 2024 with the aim of bringing together organisations with a shared vision to collaborate and elevate Cumbria as a global centre of excellence in robotics engineering and problem-solving.
iSH programme director Miranda Kirschel, who received an MBE for services to equal opportunities in the nuclear industry, said: "Cumbria's capability in robotics - one of the most rapidly advancing sectors in the world, is renowned.
"Women are leading the way in key roles in a number of our cluster member companies; it's fantastic to be able to show the next generation that robotics is a genuine career pathway for them and to inspire future advanced engineers."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNET
14 hours ago
- CNET
Create a PowerPoint With AI: How to Do It With Prezi AI
Have you ever spent hours perfecting a slide deck, only for it to be unused or be over the top? There's a way you can bypass working long hours and just whip something up in the theme you want, fast: use artificial intelligence. AI tools can be your best coworker in a bid to impress without burning out -- saving you hours of obsessing about presentations so you can focus on delivery, not design. While Copilot in Microsoft PowerPoint is one choice, I also found a dedicated AI presentation maker. What is Prezi? Prezi AI was the tool I chose after a Google search for what to use to make a presentation. I liked that it sounded Aussie (we shorten the names of everything), and the pricing is accessible. It has a free basic version and various tiers that range from $19 to $39 per month. I went with the mid-range, because the lowest tier didn't come with infographic capabilities. It's $29 per month with a 14-day free trial. Prezi AI promises to create "your best presentation in minutes." Let's see about that. Getting set up with Prezi AI I signed up to Prezi AI Premium and put a reminder in my phone about the free trial end date. I was prompted to enter information about the presentation, so Prezi AI could suggest content and design ideas. You can also upload a PDF, which can be helpful for the AI or skip this step for now and choose a template. Screenshot by Amanda Smith/CNET For the sake of this example, I pulled out some initial brainstorming work I did for a creative campaign that I wanted to present to an agency client. I used this text box to tell Prezi AI what I was looking to achieve. First Prompt: "I want to professionally and creatively present my initial thinking on a campaign for Zayed National Museum in the UAE. I want to combine my notes with the strategist's notes so I can present my idea by telling a story and taking them on a journey. I prefer a minimalist, elegant design. Do you need me to upload the document?" I quickly found out that it's not really an AI chat tool, because it generated a mock design without answering my question. Screenshot by Amanda Smith/CNET Instead, I saved all the notes into a PDF and re-created the prompt. Prezi AI only uses text content, so don't upload graphics or charts. Refining and finalizing your AI slide deck I liked how it created a "storyboard" presentation, but some of the imagery was off. For example, it had photos of Steve Jobs and the Bucket List movie with Morgan Freeman -- likely because it features a trip to Egypt, although still very off-brand for a UAE campaign. An image of Steve Jobs was an odd pick for the AI tool. Screenshot by Amanda Smith/CNET I also added these two sentences to the original prompt: "Only use imagery from this website: Incorporate all of the text from the PDF and don't add more to it." Again, it was way off brand, mostly because AI has a hard time understanding cultural sensitivities and nuances. It also even included an image from Pixar movie The Incredibles. Screenshot by Amanda Smith/CNET I didn't love the output, as it had a hard time following simple instructions like "only include the copy from the PDF," so I picked the one I preferred the most and edited it -- plugging in critical copy it missed and removing images. How long does it take to make an AI presentation? It took me about 30 minutes to make all the tweaks it needed, and while that wasn't ideal, it still would've taken me much longer to put together an initial deck like this. I would've agonized over the design. It's certainly not perfect, but it's better than wasting precious time trying to do it from scratch. Here's an example slide I didn't have to change: Screenshot by Amanda Smith/CNET I also liked how the slides move from one to the next, not just swiping to the right but interactively moving like along a map -- you can check it out here. And the more you use AI programs, the more they learn about your style preferences, making the editing process easier each time. Just always make sure you check the words and images it produces. Other AI tools for PowerPoint presentations There are a lot of options out there, but here are some of the PowerPoint-compatible slide generators available. Most have a free tier, or a free trial:
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Cumbrian college students showcase robotic solutions at RAICo1
Young engineers from three Cumbrian colleges have showcased their creativity and technical skills in a hands-on robotics challenge. Students aged 16 to 18 presented their Robotics Sprint schools challenge creations at an event held at the RAICo1 Robotics and AI Collaboration facility in Whitehaven. The six-week programme, organised by the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration (RAICo) and Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH), tasked students with designing, building, and programming robots to solve a simulated nuclear decommissioning problem. The six-week programme was organised by the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration (RAICo) and Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH) (Image: Supplied) Students from West Coast Sixth Form, Energy Coast UTC, and Lakes College West Cumbria developed robots to retrieve and transport high-hazard waste barrels from a mock "hot cell" environment. Kirsty Hewitson, director at RAICo, said: "What a truly marvellous day, thanks to everybody who's contributed to it. "It's amazing to see how enthusiastic and committed the students have been with some phenomenal designs and outcomes. "One of my favourite days of the year." Students presenting their solutions in front of an audience at RAICo1 (Image: Supplied) The challenge included weekly "sprint" sessions, where students worked on mechanical design, coding, and teamwork, guided by industry professionals from the fields of robotics, engineering, and AI. Teams presented their solutions in front of an audience of industry delegates, educators, and judges at the final event. They discussed the challenges they faced, the skills they developed, and gave live demonstrations of their robots in action. The six-week challenge tasked students with designing, building, and programming robots to solve a simulated nuclear decommissioning problem (Image: Supplied) West Coast Sixth Form was named the winning team for their robot, "Better Monty." Abigail Gibbon, one of the winning students, said: "It's made me want to consider robotics in the future." The project gave participants practical experience in applying their studies—such as A levels and T levels in digital and cybersecurity—to real-world engineering problems. The students hailed from West Coast Sixth Form, Energy Coast UTC, and Lakes College West Cumbria (Image: Supplied) Gary McKeating, managing director of iSH, praised the students' performance, saying said: "I'm always amazed by the ability of the students to deliver on a project that only lasts a few weeks. "As well as the technical skills, it's great to see some of the softer skills have been worked on as well. "In particular, Lakes College powering through some challenges early in the sprint and getting to a great conclusion with their robot." The event was supported by volunteers from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and Sellafield Ltd. One of the student's robotic creations (Image: Supplied) James Partington, director of engineering policy and impact at IMechE, said: "It was fantastic to see the hard work of the students come to fruition at RAICo1 today. "It was a practical application of science, and they demonstrated an excellent grasp of different engineering disciplines in delivering their demonstrator robots, which will no doubt put them in a strong position as they take steps towards a career in engineering. "The support from the IMechE, iSH, RAICo and industry representatives is very welcome. "Their collaborative effort to inspire and support the next generation of engineers is working well and will benefit the West Cumbria region through the creation of a strong pipeline of future engineers." RAICo and iSH are now encouraging organisations to support future school sprints. Anyone interested is invited to contact communications@ for more information or to register their interest.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Cumbrian medical school receives gift to support future doctors
A medical school has received a gift designed to support the next generation of Cumbrian doctors. The Pears Cumbria School of Medicine (PCSM), based at the University of Cumbria, has received funding from the Angela Pattman Scholarship Trust, administered by the Genesis Research Trust, founded by Lord Robert Winston. The scholarship will help remove financial barriers for students hoping to pursue a career in medicine. Lord Robert Winston and students at St John Henry Newman (Image: Supplied) During a recent visit to the school, Lord Winston took part in a campus tour and a session with students and university leaders. Professor Julie Mennell, vice chancellor at the University of Cumbria, said: "We are honoured to welcome Lord Robert Winston to the University of Cumbria and very grateful for the generous gift to support aspiring doctors training in and for Cumbria, serving patients and our communities now and in the future. "His visit has been inspirational and offers an opportunity for young people in Carlisle to engage with one of the UK's most distinguished scientists and communicators. "Lord Winston's insight will leave a lasting impression, reminding us all of the vital role science plays in shaping our future." Lord Winston in the maternity room at UoC (Image: Supplied) During the visit, Lord Winston met students from St John Henry Newman Catholic School in Carlisle and spoke about science, and the value of medical education. The school's involvement was arranged by Hello Future, a University of Cumbria-led partnership of 16 education and skills organisations from Cumbria and Lancashire that supports 11 to 18-year-olds with information about higher education and career pathways. The new bursary scheme is designed to offer opportunities to students who may otherwise struggle to access the profession. The PCSM is a collaboration between the University of Cumbria and Imperial College London. Lord Winston, professor of science and society and emeritus professor of fertility studies at Imperial College London, is widely recognised for his pioneering work in fertility treatment, including advances in IVF and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. He is also known for his broadcasting career on BBC programmes such as Your Life in Their Hands and The Human Body. A spokesperson for the Pears Cumbria School of Medicine said: "This generous gift supporting PCSM bursaries represents an important step in fostering inclusivity in medical education, opening doors for students who may otherwise face challenges in accessing the profession. "PCSM are very grateful to Lord Winston and the Angela Pattman Scholarship Trust for their support and for the significant impact this offering will make on the futures of our medical students." Lord Winston also toured the university's medical and science facilities during his visit. The school aims to train doctors who will go on to serve communities across Cumbria and the North West, with a focus on meeting the specific healthcare needs of the region. It is part of a broader effort to address the shortage of medical professionals in underserved and rural areas. The University of Cumbria has described the scholarship as an 'important step' towards making medical careers more accessible.
